Job Pressures 'Leading To Road Crimes'

By Sky News SkyNews - Monday, December 10 06:58 am

The pressures of work are encouraging some drivers to commit offences behind the
wheel, it has been claimed.

Firms are being urged to do everything they can not to make employees think they have
to break the law to get the job done.

A poll of 300 senior managers has shown that just over half had used their mobiles when
driving for work - and a fifth had broken the speed limit to get to a meeting on time.

The research also found that 15% felt they had to commit driving offences.

Insurance company Royal & Sun Alliance commissioned the survey of managing
directors, financial directors and other senior managers by Continental Research.

One in 10 interviewees said they felt they had no option other than to make or answer
calls while driving.

R&SA's Graham Johnston said: "Companies have a legal responsibility to encourage best
practice on the road.

"For example, making and receiving calls with a mobile handset is breaking the law,
increasing the risks to the individuals, other motorists and to the company as a whole.

"What's more, best practice policies must include the creation of healthy company culture
where employees do not feel pressured into taking unnecessary risks when driving - and
are actively encouraged not to break the speed limit, nor to use their phone while on the
move."
All UK homes could be wind powered by
2020
Reuters - 2 hours 57 minutes ago

LONDON (Reuters) - Every home in the country could be supplied by wind power alone
in 2020 by making full use of the wind-swept seas around the country, Energy Secretary
John Hutton said on Monday.

Britain has some of the best wind conditions for generating carbon-free electricity in the
world but high construction costs and a sluggish planning process has limited its growth.

There are 8 gigawatts of offshore wind farms planned in the UK, but the government
thinks another 25 GW could be added to that by 2020, Hutton said in a statement.

"This potential major expansion will be subject to the outcome of a strategic

environmental assessment. But if we could manage to achieve this, by 2020 enough
electricity could be generated off our shores to power the equivalent of all of the UK's
homes." he said.

"The challenge for government and for industry is to turn this potential - for our energy
and economy - into a cost-effective reality. This will be a major challenge."

The government recently streamlined the planning system to help get new energy projects
approved more quickly and has changed the way renewable energy is supported to favour
offshore wind and wave energy over cheaper onshore wind turbines.
Club issues warning to British pensioner
for farting: reports
AFP - Wednesday, December 5 05:37 pm

LONDON (AFP) - A British pensioner has been ordered out of his local social club for
breaking wind too loudly, which "disgusted" fellow members, media reports said
Wednesday.

Maurice Fox, 77, received a letter from Kirkham Street Sports and Social Club in
Paignton, south-west England, about his overly-audible flatulence, asking him to go
outside when necessary.

"It's only a little bit of wind -- it doesn't really hurt anyone. I sit by the door anyway and
try to get out when I can. But sometimes it takes me by surprise and just pops out," he
said, quoted by The Guardian daily.

"I think someone has complained about the noise. I am a loud farter, but there is no
smell," he added, noted that "there is no smell at all since I gave up the cider and started
on the Bass (a type of beer)."

The letter from the club committee confirmed that others had been disturbed.

"After several complaints regarding your continual breaking of wind (farting) while in
the club, would you please consider that your actions are considered disgusting to fellow
members and visitors," it said.

"You sit close to the front door, so would you please go outside when required. So please
take heed of this request," it added.

Fox -- who said he gets no complaints at another nearby club he attends two days a week
-- voiced surprise that he had received no oral warning before the written complaint.

But he admitted they had a point. "I do not think it is unreasonable, you get ladies in
there," he said.

"The ladies find it a bit rude but the men have a chuckle. My wife died seven years ago
and I live on my own so I might have lost a few social graces. But I was surprised to get
the letter from the committee."